Ariens Co. Introduces AMP™, First Retail, Premium Brand Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Brillion, Wis. (April 2, 2009) - Ariens Company today announced the launch of the AMP^TM Rider, an all-electric riding lawn mower, which delivers as much drive and cutting power as a conventional gas-powered riding mower without the emissions, oil, belts or noise associated with gasoline-powered mowers.

The AMP^TM Rider was designed to meet a growing market need for all-electric riding mowers that can match the power, cutting precision and reliability of gas-powered riding mowers offered by Ariens.  

Ariens is the first company to offer a riding electric mower in conjunction with a mass channel retail chain and through a wide and proven dealer network across the U.S.  AMP^TM Rider will sell for an MSRP of $3,299, the lowest priced all-electric riding lawn mower on the market. 

"We understand that our customers desire alternative energy fueled mowers, and we are methodically moving our company towards offering a line of products that run off electric and other alternative fuels," said Dan Ariens, company president. "With AMP^TM Rider, we are able to offer homeowners a way to reduce fuel expenses and produce zero emissions, without sacrificing the power, reliability and support they expect from Ariens' products."

The AMP^TM Rider is clean, easy and powerful and offers the following features:

• No gasoline-producing emissions
• 50 percent quieter than gas-reliant engine mowers
• Fully charges in 16 hours (overnight) and runs up to 75 minutes on one charge
• Charges with smart technology, shutting down automatically once full charge is reached
• Same power as a conventional gas-powered rear engine riding mower
• Minimal maintenance: no oil, gas, belts to maintain
• Constructed with the same durable, high performance structure used on Ariens other premium riding mowers
• Strong support network, with 2,000 Ariens dealers across the country

The AMP^TM Rider will be available in May through HomeDepot.com and select Ariens Dealers throughout the U.S.  To learn more about AMP^TM Rider or where to buy AMP^TM Rider, visit www.ampbyariens.com.

AMP^TM Rider meets ANSI safety standards and offers a range of safety features one would expect from Ariens.

About Ariens Company

Established in 1933 in Brillion, Wis., Ariens Company is a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment for both consumer and commercial use. The company's premium brands include Ariens Sno-Thro® and Ariens zero-turn mowers for consumers, Gravely® commercial lawn equipment for professional landscape contractors, as well as National specialty mowers and Locke® reel mowers for the golf, turf, and sports turf industries. Ariens' affiliates, Stens Corporation and its Australian counterpart, Bynorm Group, supply replacement parts to the outdoor power equipment industry. Visit www.ampbyariens.com for more information about AMP^TM Rider.